FCCP president Chloe Romulo- Periquet tirelessly spearheaded the event. The dinner-dance was organized by ways and means director Fortune Aleta Ledesma assisted by chairpersons Mellie Ablaza, Nene Leonor and Helen Ong. Your columnist emceed the event. The program prepared by Chit Gohu began with a mime invocation by the black theater team of the Makati Rotary Inter-Actors Group. A duet by the brother-sister tandem of Nichola and Jo-B Manalo Sebastian (grandchildren of Cez and Billy Manalo) followed. In keeping with the theme, songs about friendship were belted out by the FCCP New Generation Singing Group of Mikey Eleazar; Therese Liboro; Mikaela Hahn; Cindy Roxas; Dani Eleazar; Jo-Ann Cadungog; Julika Roxas; Alex Michalena; Isabel Cuerva; Georgina Carlos and Cristina Pappas. They were joined by young tots Bea and Jas Syquia, the grandchildren of Letty and Ike Syquia, and Mio Nuguid and Jacqueline Ong, the grandchildren of Helen and Sonny Ong.
The program’s highlight was the presentation of bouquets of roses to former FCCP presidents led by FCCP founding chairman and chairman emeritus Chito Madrigal-Collantes and subsequent presidents Tessie Luz; Nori Ongsiako; Letty Syquia; Olga Severino-Martel; Cez Manalo; Nellie Bengzon; Celing Batungbacal; and Thelma Gana; and current president Chloe Romulo- Periquet in appreciation for their work and dedication. Missed that evening was past president Meldy Cojuangco who unfortunately was indisposed.
The program ended with a jazz number performed by FCCP members Chit Gohu; Kazuko Zeñarosa; Carla Santos; Tereret Liboro; Lucille Villanueva; Alice Briones; Nini Layug; Puring Galano; and Nori Ongsiako and her granddaughter Carmen.
"In Celebration of Friendship" was conceptualized by Olga Severino- Martel who also edited the beautiful souvenir program featuring the painting of Phyllis Zaballero on its cover.
Advanced birthday greetings to Dr. Paz Fores, banker O.V. Espiritu and James Go Dy, Dec. 9; FCCP’s Chit Gohu and Lalie Tolentino, Dec. 10; my beloved wife Tere, Lucille Chebaldin, Chinits Rufino, Ging de los Reyes, columnist Nelson Navarro and Mau Padilla, Dec. 11; Dr. Benjamin Alimurong, Sen. Renato Cayetano, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata, Dec. 12; Bettina Palpal-Latoc, Joyce Santiago, Bvlgari’s Mario Katigbak, Robert Yupangco and publicist Charlie Agatep, Dec. 13; golfer Steven Chan, twins Ernie and Amby Rufino, balladeer Leo Valdez and artist Adriel de la Vega, Dec. 14.
Happy wedding anniversary to Century Park Hotel’s dapper general manager Bobby Carpio and his lovely wife Mary Ann, Dec. 8. May you both have many, many more years of wedded bliss.
So, how was your week?